Today we’d like to introduce you to Trent & Kate Freeman.
Hi Trent & Kate, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We’re Trent and Kate Freeman, lifelong working artists who have spent our careers making, teaching, and sharing art. Before moving to southeast Kansas, we ran a studio and teaching space in Kansas City for more than two decades — building community, creating work, and helping others grow as artists.
After years of visiting Fort Scott while spending time on our farmland nearby, we felt drawn to the town’s strong community spirit and creative potential. We purchased the 1890 Queen Anne building in October 2020 and, after a full restoration, opened The Artificers in January 2023 — a warm, approachable gallery and teaching studio in the heart of Fort Scott where art isn’t intimidating, but welcoming and integrated into daily life.
In addition to our gallery work, we launched Bourbon County Clay, a woman-owned studio rooted in the historic brick streets of Fort Scott. The clay we work with is sourced exclusively from our farm in Bourbon County, Kansas, and each piece is handcrafted in small batches by our team of artisans. Every functional piece carries a connection to the region’s rich heritage — handcrafted history you can hold in your hand.
Most recently, we began building The Queen’s Muse, an Art Nouveau–inspired artist retreat and creative space next to The Artificers, designed to support visiting artists, provide comfortable creative short term “rest-cations”, and host community events that bring art and connection to life here in Fort Scott.
Together, these ventures represent our love of craft, our connection to the land, and our belief that art should be accessible, present in everyday life, and deeply rooted in community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? No… not exactly.
After completely gutting the 1890 Queen Anne in May of 2021, the building next door to us partially collapsed that July. We were set and ready to begin the buildout of our gallery and studio when suddenly part of the block literally came down. It was stressful. There were safety concerns, structural questions, delays — and that sinking feeling of, “Well… this is not what we planned.”
Renovating a historic building, launching businesses, and figuring out logistics during a time when materials were hard to get and timelines meant nothing was already challenging. But through it all, we felt the community rally around us. Even as fresh faces in town, people encouraged us, prayed for us, and gave us what we now refer to as the “Fort Scott hug.”
Honestly, every challenge made us more certain we were supposed to be here. If anything, it strengthened our commitment. We were intent on building community and bringing fine art and craft to rural Kansas.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We’re both working artists first — that has always been our foundation. Trent specializes in mixed media sculpture and ceramics, often blending materials such as clay, wood, glass, and metals. His work leans into form, texture, and presence. I primarily work in acrylic painting and clay, drawn to bold sunset colors layered with abstract backgrounds that shape and frame my landscapes.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just make art — we build ecosystems around it. We’ve spent decades teaching, mentoring, and creating spaces where art is accessible and integrated into everyday life. Through The Artificers, Bourbon County Clay, and The Queen’s Muse, we’ve intentionally created a place where fine art and functional craft live side by side and where our community is part of the process.
We’re most proud that we didn’t just open a gallery — we restored a historic building, invested in a rural downtown, and built something that feels rooted. The clay we use comes from our own farm. The work is made by hand. The relationships are real.
We’re known for being hands-on, detail-driven, and deeply committed — not just to our craft, but to the place we’ve chosen to call home.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
We were both creative kids who preferred making things over almost anything else. We were always drawing, building, and experimenting — and usually asking for art supplies instead of toys.
Personality-wise, we were hands-on and self-motivated. We liked figuring things out and working with our hands. That practical creativity has carried into adulthood.
Owning and restoring a historic building for our gallery and studio wasn’t just a dream — it felt like a natural extension of who we’ve always been.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theartificers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartificersonnational/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artificersonnational/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theartificers5082
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-artificers-fort-scott
